MARKUS BERLI

Assistant Research Professor

EDUCATION:

Ph.D., Civil and Environmental Engineering (Soil Physics & Mechanics), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
Diploma in Environmental Engineering (Soil Protection), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS:

Research interests focus on modeling and measurement of soil structural dynamics affecting fluid flow and solute transport. Key issues are the connection of hydraulics and mechanics of soils at the micro-scale and upscaling physical soil behavior from pore to sample- and eventually field-scale. Further areas of interest are: New methods for in-situ characterization of soil hydraulic and mechanical properties; improved characterization of soil pore geometry using X-ray-Micro-Tomography and pore water flow employing Neutron-Tomography; improved methods to assess and predict soil deterioration due to mechanical impacts.

My vision is that micro-scale coupling of soil hydraulics and mechanics with chemical and microbial processes will provide a conceptual framework for an improved understanding of fluid flow, contaminant fate and transport in the vadose zone, to sustain soil productivity and to secure water resources of sufficient quality and quantity world-wide.

AREA OF EXPERTISE:

• Modeling and measurement of pore structure dynamics and fluid flow in porous soil materials
• Developing new methods for in-situ characterization of soil hydraulic and mechanical properties
• Field-scale assessment of soil physical properties
• Assessment and prediction of soil compaction due to dynamic mechanical impact